If you’re looking for a refreshing yet indulgently creamy salad that’s bursting with vibrant flavors and textures, the Spinach Salad with Basil Green Goddess Dressing Recipe is about to become your new go-to. This salad perfectly balances the earthiness of fresh baby spinach with the zingy brightness of basil-infused Green Goddess dressing, while crunchy croutons and tender sliced eggs add the perfect finishing touches. Whether you’re tossing it up for a quick lunch or serving it at a casual dinner, this dish brings a delightful garden-fresh flair to your table that everyone will love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of the Spinach Salad with Basil Green Goddess Dressing Recipe lies in its simplicity and the freshness of its components. Each ingredient plays a vital role, contributing to the harmony of flavors, textures, and colors that make this salad so appealing.
- Fresh basil leaves (¼ cup, torn and packed): Provides the aromatic herbaceous note crucial for the Green Goddess dressing.
- Mayonnaise (¼ cup): Adds richness and creaminess to create that luscious dressing base.
- Buttermilk (¼ cup): Brings a subtle tang and smooth texture, lightening the dressing perfectly.
- Green onion (1, chopped): Gives a gentle sharpness and crunch, enhancing flavor depth.
- Lemon juice (1 Tbsp): Injects brightness and acidity to balance the creamy elements.
- Worcestershire sauce (¼ tsp): Adds a touch of umami for complexity in the dressing.
- Salt and black pepper (to taste): Essential for seasoning, elevating all other flavors.
- Fresh baby spinach (1 10-oz bag): The salad’s crisp, leafy green foundation packed with nutritional goodness.
- Hard-boiled eggs (6, sliced): Introduce protein and a silky texture that pairs beautifully with the greens.
- Grape tomatoes (1 cup, halved): Provide bursts of juicy sweetness and vibrant color.
- Fresh mushrooms (1 cup, sliced): Add an earthy flavor and tender bite.
- Red onion (½ cup, sliced): Offers sharpness and crunch for a bit of zing.
- Croutons (1½ cups): Deliver satisfying crunch and rustic charm to every forkful.
How to Make Spinach Salad with Basil Green Goddess Dressing Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Basil Green Goddess Dressing
Start by combining fresh basil leaves, mayonnaise, buttermilk, chopped green onion, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce in your mini food processor or blender. Purée everything until smooth and creamy. This dressing is the soul of the salad, bursting with fresh herbaceous flavor balanced by tangy, savory notes. Finally, season it with salt and black pepper according to your taste, making sure it’s bright and perfectly seasoned before moving on.
Step 2: Assemble the Salad Ingredients
In a large salad bowl, layer your fresh baby spinach first as the crisp green base. Follow it with beautifully sliced hard-boiled eggs for a soft texture and mild flavor. Next, add the halved grape tomatoes for juicy sweetness, sliced fresh mushrooms for earthiness, and thinly sliced red onion for a little bite. Top everything off with crunchy croutons to bring that irresistible crunch contrast.
Step 3: Dress and Toss the Salad
Drizzle your freshly prepared Basil Green Goddess dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss everything gently but thoroughly to ensure every leaf and bite is perfectly coated with the creamy, herb-infused dressing. Serving immediately is key to keeping the spinach crisp and the croutons delightfully crunchy.
How to Serve Spinach Salad with Basil Green Goddess Dressing Recipe
Garnishes
While the salad shines on its own, you can take it up a notch by garnishing with fresh basil sprigs or additional cracked black pepper for a final flourish. A sprinkle of shaved Parmesan or toasted nuts like walnuts can add a surprising texture and an extra layer of flavor.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with grilled chicken, seared salmon, or roasted vegetables for a fuller meal. It also works wonderfully alongside crusty artisan bread or a light soup for a satisfying lunch or light dinner.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this salad in individual glass jars for a stunning, layered look at picnics or packed lunches. Alternatively, present it in a large shallow bowl for dinner parties, allowing guests to help themselves to the vibrant colors and textures. The dressing’s vibrant green hue makes it a natural centerpiece on the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the salad components separately when possible. Keep the dressing refrigerated in an airtight container, and the salad greens along with toppings stored in sealed containers to maintain freshness and crunch. Combine and toss just before eating again.
Freezing
Because this Spinach Salad with Basil Green Goddess Dressing Recipe relies on fresh ingredients like spinach and tomatoes, freezing is not recommended as it can compromise texture and flavor, particularly of the greens and croutons.
Reheating
This salad is best enjoyed fresh and cold. If you choose to warm any accompanying dishes, keep the salad itself chilled to preserve its crispness and integrity of flavors.
FAQs
Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
Absolutely! The Basil Green Goddess dressing can be made up to two days in advance and stored in the fridge. Just give it a quick stir before tossing it with your salad.
Is there a dairy-free version of this salad?
You can substitute mayonnaise and buttermilk with their dairy-free counterparts like vegan mayo and almond or oat milk mixed with a little lemon juice to mimic buttermilk’s tang.
Can I use baby kale or arugula instead of spinach?
Definitely. Baby kale or arugula would bring a slightly different flavor profile and texture, but either would be a delicious alternative in this recipe.
What can I add to make this salad more filling?
Grilled chicken, chickpeas, or crispy bacon bits are great additions to increase protein and make the salad more substantial.
How long does the salad stay fresh once dressed?
Once the dressing is added, it’s best eaten within a few hours to keep the greens crisp and the croutons crunchy.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly magical about the combination of fresh baby spinach and the irresistible basil-infused Green Goddess dressing in this Spinach Salad with Basil Green Goddess Dressing Recipe. It brings together brightness, creaminess, and satisfying textures in a way that feels both indulgent and wholesome. I can’t recommend it enough for your next meal—give it a try and watch how it becomes a fast favorite in your recipe rotation!
Print
Spinach Salad with Basil Green Goddess Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A fresh and vibrant Spinach Salad with a creamy, herbaceous Basil Green Goddess Dressing, featuring nutrient-rich baby spinach, sliced hard-boiled eggs, juicy grape tomatoes, mushrooms, red onions, and crunchy croutons. This salad is quick to prepare and perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Dressing
- ¼ cup torn and packed fresh basil leaves
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- 1 green onion, chopped
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Salad
- 1 (10-oz) bag fresh baby spinach
- 6 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half
- 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
- ½ cup sliced red onion
- 1½ cups croutons
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: Purée the basil, mayonnaise, buttermilk, chopped green onion, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce in a mini food processor or blender until smooth. Season the dressing with salt and black pepper to your taste.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine the fresh baby spinach, sliced hard-boiled eggs, halved grape tomatoes, sliced mushrooms, sliced red onion, and croutons.
- Dress and Serve: Pour the desired amount of Basil Green Goddess Dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to coat everything evenly. Serve immediately for the best freshness and flavor.
Notes
- You can make the dressing ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 2 days to enhance the flavors.
- Substitute buttermilk with plain yogurt or milk mixed with a teaspoon of lemon juice if buttermilk is unavailable.
- For a vegan version, replace mayonnaise with vegan mayonnaise and omit the hard-boiled eggs or use a plant-based egg alternative.
- Add nuts such as toasted pine nuts or walnuts for extra crunch and nutrition.
- Adjust the amount of dressing depending on your preference to avoid soggy salad.
